Four jailed after robbery in Worksop where man was attacked with axe in his home

Porcher Toynbee, 22, knew the victim and made arrangements to visit him - but instead of making a friendly house-call she brought three masked men with weapons.

The victim suffered what is believed to be an axe injury in the incident on Norfolk Street, Worksop, at around 9pm on 14 May 2018. His injuries included a 10-inch gash to his head and a fractured eye socket.

The investigation later led detectives to identify Toynbee's boyfriend Aaron Meehan, 37, and friend Alex Cawood-Charlton, 26, as two of the three masked men, and Toynbee's father Alan O'Neil, 45, as being involved in plotting the robbery.

Toynbee and Meehan travelled up together with the unidentified man from London and picked up Cawood-Charlton in Lincoln on the way to carry out the offence.

After carrying out the robbery, Toynbee and Meehan tried to flee the country on a "Oui" coach going through the Euro Tunnel but as they were about to disembark the authorities realised they were wanted and they were brought back and arrested on May 17.

Armed officers from Lincolnshire Police arrested Cawood-Charlton on May 23 as he walked through the University of Lincoln campus, shortly after they had executed a warrant at his home on Ruston Way, Lincoln.

O'Neil was arrested on September 11 at his home on Heavitree Road, Plumstead, London. He was charged and remanded in custody for conspiring to commit the robbery.

The four defendants initially denied conspiracy to rob and were due to go on trial at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (Monday November 19) but each entered a last-minute guilty plea. The case was adjourned for sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court today (Tuesday November 20).

Meehan, of Wiltshire Road, London, was jailed for four years; Toynbee, formerly of Bawtry Close, Lincoln, was sentenced to three years; O'Neil was jailed for two years; and Cawood-Charlton was sentenced to 18 months.

Detective Matt Dumbrell, who led the investigation, said: "This was a complex investigation which led officers from Nottinghamshire Police to various locations throughout the country. It was an impressive team effort.

"Our focus from the outset was around the public interest and bringing the offenders to justice. I would like to thank David Allan and Sarah Gaunt from the Crown Prosecution Service. We worked really closely together on this challenging case to achieve the best possible results.

"I believe that this investigation demonstrates we will tirelessly carry out our duties against those intent on committing violent offences within Nottinghamshire."